Etta James Disses Beyonce, Obama

'Big-eared' prez 'might not ever like me,' James laments

(NEWSER) - Etta James was just trying to be funny when she vowed to whup Beyoncé’s ass for singing "her song" at the inauguration, the Daily News reports. “I've always had that comedian kind of attitude,” James said, insisting she only kept up the insults because her concertgoers kept laughing. James said she liked Beyoncé’s Washington performance of "At Last"—but still thinks she would have sung it better. More»

Big-name acts, up-and-comers see modest rise in attendance

(NEWSER) - Concert tours remained surprisingly strong this year despite the weak economy, with slightly more people heading out to see their favorite acts than in 2008. Gross revenue held steady at $1 billion for the period from May 1 to Sept. 1, matching earnings a year earlier. Big-name acts like Kenny Chesney, the Dave Matthews Band, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, and Coldplay all enjoyed strong tours. More»

Singer postpones date after criticism by conservative Muslim group

(NEWSER) - After controversy over her racy outfits and dance routines, Beyoncé won’t perform in Kuala Lumpur this weekend. The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, a hardline Muslim group, had protested the Oct. 25 date on her “I Am” tour, but promoters deny the postponement had anything to do with those objections. They say a new date for the show will “be announced shortly”—but Beyoncé used a similar euphemism to cancel a 2007 Malaysia gig after religious conservatives made a fuss, E! Online reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Mark Hosenball of Newsweek was at Woodstock, and not only did he not have a good time, but he can’t quite figure out how we’ve “transformed a chaotic mudfest into an epic pageant of peace and love.” Hosenball reminisces about the “massive, teeming, squalid mess” and its “traffic jams, torrential rain, reeking portable johns, barely edible food, and sprawling, disorganized crowds.” He can’t even really remember what acts he saw. More»

First family takes in concert while Prez does publicity

(NEWSER) - Most of the first family took in a Beyoncé concert last night in Washington, ABC News reports. The first lady took Sasha, Malia, friends from Chicago, and even some staffers along. They may have even caught a glimpse of President Obama, who was wrapping up a health care discussion—Rolling Stone says Beyoncé’s opening montage features him. More»